Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-28
DASTARDLY DEED.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS OF THE
MURDER OF YOUNG DONALDSON.
Struck Down In an Instant-The Motive
Of the kurder-The Body
Here


Henry &. Burnett, who left the city
night before last for Sewell, W. Va,
where the brother Of the former was
killed Tuesday morning 10y blow from
an axe in the hands Of a man named
Thurmond, returned last night, bring
ing the body with them. These gentle
men give the following particulars OF
the murder:
The murder of William ID. Donald
son by Joseph Thurmond occurred Tues
day morning about 10 o'clock. Dir.
Donaldson was business-manager OF
lumber manufacturing company, whose
saw-rnill is located just above the New
River cliffs, at Scwell Thurmond is
the son of William ID. Thurmond, who
if now agent of Mr.. 4. A. Low, OF
New York, owner Of the timberland
from which the mill is cutting. The
murderer had been appointed by his
father 10 measure logs to the
mill for saving. He had, also,
until recently, an appointment
from Mr.. Donaldson 20 the wOr
Of measuring, inspecting, and assor =
ing the lumber as it came from the saw.
About forty days ago ne told Mr.. Dor
aldsOn that unless certain class of Ia
borers was dismissed from the mill he
would refuse to inspect any longer.
Donaldson replied that the objectiona-
bic labOres we're an orderly and useful
body OF men as class; that the partlcu-
lar one Of them whose offence had
given rise TO the dissatisfaction was no
longer ON the work, and that
the unoffendinR ones would be
retained. Thurmond declined to serve
him longer, and only continued on the
work as Mr.. Lows mcas,Ter. He has
since been heard to utter, both vaguely
and directly, threats against Donald
sons life He told one man that be
fore he would he nun over by a dirty
Scotclman be would cut his ID
throat" Meanwhile he had made
himself both disagTeeable and trouble
some where he could in any wayantago-
nize Mr.. Donaldson.
TURNING OFF THE WATER.
Although son OF the man who re-
ceives pay from Mr. Low to aid in turn
ing his timber INTO money, and himself
receiving pay as measurer of logs at the
mill, he was found Tuesday morning in
the act of diverting from the mill the
stream Of water which supplies the
boiler, having stopped the mill-race
with stones and earth. Mr.. Donaldson,
in "A qniet but business-like way went at
once to the place, near which Thur
mond was still standing, and getting
down into the ditch began 10 remove
the distinctions. He had taken
out of the stream and placed on the
bank two large pieces of stone, and was
stopping for third, when Thurmond
moved quickly to the edge of the race,
and from his position several feet above,
by resistless Overhanded blow on the
back of the head with heavy dirt
shovel, felled his victim into the water.
ThurmOnd was seen 10 get down into
the water and to drag Mr.. Donaldson
to the bank above. He then, with sui
len countonancc, shouldered his shovel
and walked away. He was watched,
however, and was soon under arrest
DEATH IL TWO HOURS.
An eyewitness Of the dreadful dee,
war quickly at the injured mans side
The physician, his loving wife, an
many friends hurried to his relief, bu
III less than two hours, with quiet ano
beautiful expression Of peacefulness on
his face, which seemed just ready TO
quicken into smile, he lay still and
cold in death Donaldson held warm
place in the hearts of his wOrkmen. had
won the hearty esteem of the sturdy
mountaineers, his noighbQrs, and of the
railroad-mcn about Sewel1. Every one
vou meet in that neighborhood has a
kind word to say about him, and no one
q word Of blame.
MR. DONALDSON S LIFE.
The case has one particularly sad
view He had led from his boyhood
q rowing hfc-not an idle one, but
seeking here and there, like many a
boy thrown early i'll life on his own re-
sources, work, "a place, and home.
After many rough experiences in diff
ferent parts Of the world he had settled
down away ont there in those Wild but
beautiful mountains in charge Of an
important trust.
Mr.. Donaldson left Young wife,
who was native of BUncomb
county. n. c., and little girl two
months old. The family was a happy
one. and the exceedingly sad affair has
cast a gloom over that entire neighbor-
hood.